The play traces the lives and internal experiences of six central characters—Rhoda, Bernard, Susan, Neville, Jinny, and Louis—from childhood through maturity. Beginning with their collective experiences by the coast and at school, the narrative spans a sequence of formative life stages, including youth, moments of intense emotional "swelling," episodes of terror and joy, professional careers, relationships, fame, and grief. The production is characterized as a tender and thrilling story about the experience of growing up together and the subsequent journey of being alone and ultimately finding connection.